MONROE, La. – The ULM softball team (9-7) is back in action, hosting their second tournament in Monroe with the Best on the Bayou Tournament. The tournament will open with the Warhawks taking on Tarleton State at 4 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 28). ULM will then take on the SEMO Redhawks on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and again on Saturday (March 1) at 5:30 p.m. The Warhawks will then square up against Memphis on Saturday at 3 p.m. and on Sunday (March 2) at 2 p.m. The full tournament schedule and live stats can be found at ulmwarhawks.com.
BRAND NEW OPPONENTS –
This is ULM's first meeting against Tarleton State in program history. ULM plays three brand-new opponents this season, including the Texans. The Warhawks will take on Tarleton State, North Alabama and Detroit-Mercy for the first times in program history, all games occurring in the next week.
SERIES HISTORY VS. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE –
The Warhawks will take on the Redhawks for the 12th meeting this weekend, hoping to defeat SEMO in Monroe for the first time since 2015. ULM holds a 7-4 all-time record against the Redhawks, the series dating back to 2008. The last meeting came in 2019, where the Warhawks fell to the Redhawks, 0-8 in six innings in Conway, Ark.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS –
The Warhawks will take on the Tigers for the fourth meeting this weekend. ULM holds a 1-2 all-time record against Memphis, the series dating back to 2012. The last meeting came in 2018, where the Tigers defeated the Warhawks, 5-7 in Memphis. Memphis' lone trip to Monroe came in 2013, where ULM claimed the 1-0 win.
SCOUTING THE TEXANS –
Tarleton State has opened the season 11-5, most recently falling to Houston, 3-6. The Texans swept the Tarleton Invitational, defeating Yale, Texas Southern and North Dakota. Tarleton State looks to surpass expectations, as the team was selected to finish seventh in the WAC Preseason Poll, after a 23-32 season in 2024.
SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS –
Southeast Missouri State has opened the season 4-4, most recently going 2-2 in the Frost Classic. SEMO defeated IU Indy and Indiana State in the tournament, before falling to Illinois State and Chattanooga. The Redhawks are finishing up a large road trip in Monroe, having not competed at home this season. SEMO looks to reach expectations, as the team was selected to finish first in the OVC Preseason Poll, after winning the conference in 2024.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS –
Memphis has opened the season 9-7, most recently falling to North Alabama, 1-5. The Tigers picked up a dominating 19-0 win in five innings over Mississippi Valley State in Memphis. The Tigers look to surpass expectations under new head coach Trena Prater, as the team was selected to finish 10th in the AAC Preseason Poll, after a 6-44 season in 2024.
LAST TIME OUT –
The ULM softball team picked up a 13-0 run-rule win this week against Northwestern State, extending its win streak to seven and shutout streak to three. Meagan Brown, Morgan Brown and Reece Briggs picked up home runs, with Briggs tallying five RBIs. Brooklin Lippert also had a great week, picking up two hits, a run and two stolen bases. Cheyenne Jenkins and Elle Carter were also credited with a stolen base each. Dakota Lake claimed the win, allowing two hits, no runs and no walks in 2.2 innings.
TWICE AS NICE –
Meagan and Morgan Brown are a rare pair of twins playing for the same NCAA softball team. Both post batting averages of over .400 and have logged multiple doubles and home runs this season. This week at Northwestern State, the Brown sisters hit back-to-back home runs to score the first runs of the night as the second and third batters.
LOOKING AHEAD –
The softball team will host another midweek matchup following the Best on the Bayou Tournament, facing McNeese on Tuesday (March 4) at the ULM Softball Complex. First pitch against the Cowgirls is scheduled for 6 p.m.
